Car dealership unfurloughs staff after increase in online demand

A surge in demand for new and used vehicles has enabled a North East and Yorkshire dealership to bring its staff back from furlough early.

Simon Bailes Peugeot has experienced a rise in telephone and online enquiries from customers looking to change their vehicle. To manage the demand, a number of sales staff who were previously furloughed have been brought back into the business.

It is implementing a range of health and safety measures at its sites in Nothallerton, Guisborough and Stockton-on-Tees, to protect its team and customers from the spread of the coronavirus, so it is able to open its showrooms once it is deemed appropriate to ease restrictions.

Currently, its showrooms for vehicle sales are closed in line with current government advice, while its aftersales and vehicle servicing departments continue to operate to support essential vehicle servicing and maintenance – with priority given to key workers.

All staff within the servicing department wear PPE and use disposable seat covers, steering wheel and gear lever covers, and floor mats. Vehicles are cleaned and sanitised before and after work is carried out.

For customers making online or telephone orders, Simon Bailes Peugeot is offering contactless home deliveries of vehicles living locally to its dealerships. Vehicles are cleaned and sanitised, with the delivery driver wearing PPE.

Simon Bailes said: “As a responsible business we have worked extremely hard to ensure we have stringent procedures and policies in place to protect our customers and staff. Health and safety remains our priority.

“We have received a number of online and telephone enquiries from customers regarding the purchase of new and used vehicles and as a result several of our sales staff are coming off the furlough scheme to meet this growing demand.

“We have already imposed a range of safeguarding measures within our parts and servicing departments which work well.

“We are prepared to extend and reinforce these measures so that we are in a position to welcome back customers to our showrooms the moment it is judged prudent to do so.”